Israel Watching Developments in Iran; Families of Israeli Workers Are Being Evacuated

The government said today that it is closely watching developments in strife-torn Iran as they affect Israelis and local Jews in that country. A statement by Acting Premier Yigael Yadin released after today’s Cabinet meeting, said: “We are watching the developments in Iran very closely and have discussed the situation as required, as concerns both Jews and Israelis in every place they are situated.” The statement was the first official communique on the anti-Shah uprising in Teheran.

Meanwhile, the evacuation of the wives and children of Israeli workers in Iran began today. EI AI added two special flights to its regular daily flight to Teheran and has placed additional aircraft on stand-by should the evacuation of all Israelis from Iran become necessary. The first flight of women and children is due here tonight. They are the families of Israelis employed on a large-scale construction project in Teheran undertaken by Solel Boneh, the Histadrut-owned construction firm. Solel Boneh said today that the workers will remain on the job for the time being.

It was learned that the EI AI office in Teheran was only partially destroyed by rioting mobs yesterday. The outer office and display window was smashed but II airline officials and many patrons locked in the inner office escaped unhurt through a back door. The office is located near the University campus which was at the center of the riots. It remained closed today but business was conducted from the home of the branch manager. The Pan American Airways office and other foreign establishments damaged by the rioters were also closed today. EI AI announced suspension of its daily cargo flight to Teheran for lack of ground crews to service the plane at Teheran airport.